Azmin ahead in PKR polls but Rafizi still confident

(Bernama) – PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali remains ahead of his challenger Rafizi Ramli in the contest for the number two spot in the party polls, according to results posted on the party website.

Rafizi, who is ahead in six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis – and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, was 1,186 votes behind Azmin as of last night following voting in Perlis and seven divisions in Selangor.

Azmin, who is also the economic affairs minister, garnered 38,228 votes while Rafizi secured 37,042.

These votes include the final tally in five states – Penang, Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang – and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

“Dubious” votes in 16 divisions in Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis are being processed with the results yet to be finalised.

In Melaka, state PKR chairman Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin reportedly said 2,000 digital ballot papers had gone missing from five of the six divisions and that the central election committee (CEC) was investigating the matter.

In Negeri Sembilan, the votes from the Jelebu division have yet to be counted due to a technical problem.

When contacted, CEC deputy chairman Adzman Hedra said an initial probe indicated that the missing ballot papers were due to poor internet access during the polls.

“We knew of this when the QR code-screening by the members did not match the number of votes that came in. The committee’s technical division is still trying to trace the votes,” he added.

The elections in the Kedah will be held on Oct 26 and 27; Perak on Oct 27; Sabah on Nov 3 and 4 and Sarawak on Nov 10. The polls in the remaining six division of Selangor will be held on Oct 28.

Rafizi tweeted yesterday that he was confident the votes in Kedah, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak would be in his favour.

“With the contest in the peninsula remaining only in six divisions in Selangor compared to 39 in Perak and Kedah next week, I am confident of the chances of #Reformasi20Tahun winning in the peninsula before the elections in Sabah and Sarawak begin in November.

“I am also optimistic of the support for #Reformasi20Tahun in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.